Chickasaw For Educators
  • wooden bridge extending across a lake with guard rails.
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    Chickasaw Educator Programs 

    Want a fun way to get your students excited about learning? Why not learn with a Park Ranger?

    Tennessee State Parks offer accessible, discovery-based educational experiences aligned with Tennessee’s academic standards. Choose a program for your class, plan your day at a park, and request an experience today.

    Our Programs

      • Elderly man and children examining footprints in sand tray outdoors.

      Field Trips

      • Group of children listening to a man outdoors near a tree.

      School Outreach

      • Young girls hugging each other in the forest in front of other kids wearing green in a forest

      Self-guided/Teacher-led 

    Chickasaw State Park Programs 

    • Meet a Ranger  

      Who are Rangers? What do they do? Find out! It takes skill, knowledge, experience, and education to be a Park Ranger. Join us today to explore a day in the life of a Tennessee State Park Ranger!   

      Location: Park or school    
      Grade Level: All grade levels   
      Length: 30 minutes   
      Capacity: 150 students   
      Cost: $0/student 

    • Birds of Prey

      Whoooo is making all that noise? An owl? A hawk? Students will meet a live animal ambassador and learn about Tennessee’s birds of prey and the exciting characteristics that set them apart from one another! Students will visit the aviary and discuss how humans impact birds of prey in wild habitats.  

      Meets: 2.LS1.1-2, 3.LS4.2, 5.LS1.1 

      Location: Park or school   
      Grade Level: Second through Fifth Grade  
      Length: 60 minutes   
      Capacity: 40 students   
      Cost: $0/student   

    • Snakes of Tennessee

      Meet one of our sweet and sassy King Snakes! Our snakes Hashi and Minko love making new friends and will help students learn about the important role snakes play in the ecosystem as well as the significance of animal conservation in parks and at home.

      Meets: 2.LS1.1-2, 3.LS1.1 

      Location: Park or school   
      Grade Level: Second and Third Grade  
      Length: 45 minutes   
      Capacity: 40 students   
      Cost: $0/student 

    • Tennessee Animals 

      Feathers, skulls, and pelts, oh my! What better way to celebrate Tennessee than through learning about its native wildlife? Students will explore the characteristics of different animals that call Tennessee home in this hands-on program.  

      Meets: K.LS1.3, 2.LS1.1-2, 3.LS1.1, 3.LS4.1 

      Location: Park or school    
      Grade Level: Kindergarten through Third Grade  
      Length: 60 minutes   
      Capacity: 25 students   
      Cost: $0/student   

    • Tennessee Trees

      Ever trek through towering trees and wonder how they got so tall? In the “Tennessee Trees” program, students learn the unique characteristics of trees and how they grow to be so big. Students may also play bingo or go on a scavenger hunt to test their tree knowledge.   

      Meets: 1.LS2.2-3, 4.LS2.1&5  

      Location: Park only  
      Grade Level: First, Fourth, and Fifth Grade
      Length: 60 minutes   
      Capacity: 25 students   
      Cost: $0/student   

    • Early Settlers and Dutch Oven History 

      What makes a history lesson even more fun? Food, of course! Students will observe a Ranger cook and get a taste of what life looked like for early settlers while learning how they prepared their meals.

      Note: The Early Settlers program without cooking can travel to your school.   

      Meets: K.02, 1.25, 3.31, 4.22 

      Location: Park or school 
      Grade Level: First, Fourth, and Fifth  
      Length: 120 minutes   
      Capacity: 25 students   
      Cost: $0/student   

    • Bat Boxes 

      Bats are fascinating creatures! Students will be introduced to bat characteristics, including their communication styles, roles in the ecosystem, and preferred habitats.   

      Note: For an additional fee, students can build their own bat box.  

      Meets: K.LS2.1, 2.LS1.2, 3.LS4.2 

      Location: Park or school 
      Grade Level: First, Fourth, and Fifth Grade
      Length: 120 minutes   
      Capacity: 20 students   
      Cost: $20/student (for bat box) 

    How to Request a Program

    Program requests use the same form whether you are requesting funding support or not. Once you have submitted the form, allow 10 days for processing. Request educational program experiences at least four to six weeks in advance of the desired time frame for the program.   

    To complete the form:   

    • 1.

      Choose the park.

      Explore our parks to find the park that has the right location and program available for your needs. You can request more than one park and more than one program.

    • 2.

      Identify the type of program(s) of interest.

      You are not limited to just one program. When completing the application, provide us the list of specific programs you are interested in. 

    • 3.

      Complete the form.

      Fill out our program request form and submit. Once submitted, allow 10 days for processing.

    Request a Program

    Funding Assistance 

    Field trip funding may be available to remove barriers to participation.

    The Tennessee State Parks Conservancy (501-C3) assists schools in covering the costs of scheduled programs at a Tennessee State Park. Funds can cover bus transportation costs and park program fees. Partial funds may be awarded. Awards are given after the field trip is completed.    

    When applying for a program, select “yes” on the application form if you are interested in receiving funding support.    

    Download PDF

    What’s Next?  

    Submitting the form begins the scheduling and funding process.

    The request will be in Pending status until confirmed. Allow 10 days for processing. A park staff member will email confirmation of the program and notify you of any park-related fees.    

    If you requested funding, the Tennessee State Parks Conservancy Director will email the decision to award or deny funding. Funding is processed after the program as a reimbursement. Partial funds may be awarded. In this case, the school will be responsible for any costs above the amount written in the award email.

    Submitting for Funding Reimbursement 

    To receive reimbursement, you must provide the following documentation:  

    1. Bus invoice
    2. Park invoice
    3. Photos
    4. Number of students new to any Tennessee State Park
    5. Student and teacher feedback
    Apply for Reimbursement

    Accessibility:  We strive to host inclusive, accessible events that enable all individuals, including those with disabilities, to engage fully.   

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